Political Cartoon Project
By Sydney Carnes and Drew Sanderson
Balance (Published: February 4, 1998)
Context: Clinton's Monica Lewinsky scandal that appalled the nation
Persuasive Techniques:
Symbolism: The lady symbolizes Lewinsky, book symbolizes new budget plan
Exaggeration: Extreme balancing act
Labeling: Budget, Balance
Irony: No one cared about the balanced budget act in the shadow of the Monica Lewinsky scandal
Purpose of Cartoon: To show that Bill Clinton is walking a thin line trying to balance his positive balancing budget act versus his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Isn't this what we really want? (Published: 1939)
Context: Does the United States really want to stay neutral
Persuasive Techniques:
Irony: Since were staying out of the war we will scrub floors and wash dishes making the United States look weak
Purpose of the Cartoon: To show that if the United States say neutral they will look weaker in the eyes of the enemy
Story of the Last Seven Years (Published: May 1940)
Context: Hitler came to power because no one wanted another war/ hoped for the best, in 1940 Germany appeared to be winning the war
Persuasive Techniques:
Symbolism: Man is Americas' government
Irony: Everything the man says, the opposite occurs
Purpose of Cartoon: This cartoon emphasizes Americas need to join the war, quit stalling, and turn the tide of the last seven years